The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAiMOS) has stepped up its nationwide offensive against illegal mining activities, recording significant breakthroughs in two coordinated operations carried out simultaneously in the Western North and Ashanti Regions on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.

In the Western North Region, a special NAiMOS task force stormed the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve in the Aowin District, where it intercepted a group of armed illegal miners.

Several suspects were arrested, including a Chinese national believed to be the operator of an excavator found at the site.

A search of the area uncovered four pump-action guns, twenty-two cartridges, and three buckets containing a black substance suspected to be gold ore.

The bust, authorities say, represents a major breakthrough in dismantling armed syndicates behind the growing wave of illegal mining in Ghana’s forest reserves.

The task force later extended its mission to the Boin River Forest Reserve in the Enchi District, where further reconnaissance and monitoring operations were conducted as part of the same coordinated campaign.

In the Ashanti Region, NAiMOS deployed teams to key galamsey hotspots in the Asante Akim and Juaso Districts. Acting on credible intelligence, the task force raided illegal mining sites in the Asuboa Mponua area of Asante Akim, where six excavators were found — two unserviceable and four immobilised to prevent further use.

The team also discovered and destroyed a range of equipment, including a heavy-duty water pump, numerous hoses, fuel containers, and a makeshift wooden shelter used by miners.

A generator set was seized as evidence.

The second phase of the Ashanti operation took place at the Praakwa Forest Reserve in the Juaso District, where miners were found operating along the Pra River.

The task force destroyed six mining boats, washing platforms, and other tools used for alluvial mining. Eight suspects were arrested during the sweep.

A spokesperson for NAIMOS reaffirmed the agency’s unwavering commitment to maintaining sustained operations aimed at protecting Ghana’s natural resources, particularly forest reserves, rivers, and farmlands, from further destruction.

“We remain resolute in our mission to restore the integrity of our environment and hold all offenders accountable,” the statement concluded.

The latest operations form part of the government’s renewed push to combat illegal mining (galamsey) and safeguard the country’s ecological and economic future.